Have you read these?

Mark_Wallace

Your Christmas gift to your blood pressure should have been staying away from Q&A for a few days.

I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!

Not Active

I agree. I usually go through a book or two on a new subject to learn it then if I need to follow-up I'll browse the bookshop to read a chapter or two as necessary. My Nook Color is very nice for this sort of thing. Free wifi in the stores and the ability to read books free for an hour a day. :-D

I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt

Not Active

Interesting view. Care to elaborate on why?

I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt

Lost User

I've read Code Complete by Steve McConnell, essential reading for real world projects. In fact, I give a copy to my intern each year.

Join the cool kids - Come fold with us[^]

Nemanja Trifunovic

Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:

and has probably done more harm than good.

That. The only value I see in design patterns is some standardization in terminology. The patterns themselves are in best cases merely description of existing practices and in worst cases a wrong way to solve problems. And don't get me started on the C++ code samples in that book - this is exactly how C++ should never be written.

utf8-cpp

Ennis Ray Lynch Jr

Any developer with any profound experience will immediately recognize most of their book to be putting names to concepts they have been using for years. Any other developer will read the book and think, wow, I should be doing this and then rather than apply critical thinking he or she will blindly apply patterns even if they are inappropriate ... including the copy-paste pattern. Managers will read the book, mandate patterns for everything, fire the Architect for suggesting that sometimes a pattern is not right for the job, hire 3 Indians to replace him who only say yes, get promoted for lowering payroll and then not be responsible for the project's failure. Ironically, what I have written happens so much it should have a pattern named after it.

Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. I also do Android Programming as I find it a refreshing break from the MS. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost

Vark111

>> Ironically, what I have written happens so much it should have a pattern named after it. I propose Outsourcing Abstract Factory. OAF.

Not Active

Ennis Ray Lynch, Jr. wrote:

rather than apply critical thinking he or she will blindly apply patterns even if they are inappropriate

Is this fault of the book or its authors though? This can be said for just about anything. VB allowed low caliber developers to think they were good. There are great books on database normalization but when it is taken to extremes in can decrease performance. The trick is to understand the concepts and know when, and when not, to use them. Don't shoot the messenger.

I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt

Vark111

I've read the Requirements book. Haven't read McConnell's Pro Software Development. Is it much different from Code Complete (which I have read - and recommend)?

Not Active

I don't know whether to laugh at the ridiculousness of this statement or cry at what is happening to our industry that produces such thoughts

I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt

Not Active

Trollslayer wrote:

I give a copy to my intern each year

Doesn't your intern get tired of receiving the same book every year. ;P

I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt

Nemanja Trifunovic

Mark Nischalke wrote:

which do you recommend as essential guidance for our profession?

Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs[^] Writing Solid Code[^] (old, but still very relevant) Code Complete[^] Writing Secure Code[^] The Art of Computer Programming[^] (as a reference) Advanced Windows Debugging[^] (of course, only for Windows developers). Elements of Programming[^] There are many other good books that are language/technology specific, so I won't mention them here.

utf8-cpp

Not Active

It is more about the development of the software developer them-self rather than the code they produce.

I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt

modified on Thursday, December 30, 2010 10:31 AM

Ennis Ray Lynch Jr

It doesn't matter whose fault it is, the premise in the original post was that the book benefits our profession. It does not. Although, I have not read it, "The Mythical Man-Month" has been almost universally praised as being a benefit to our profession.

Need custom software developed? I do custom programming based primarily on MS tools with an emphasis on C# development and consulting. I also do Android Programming as I find it a refreshing break from the MS. "And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs" -- Robert Frost

Ravi Sant

I haven't heard, seen or read any of two books. But, one book, i would recommend developers is: » The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master It is a wonderful book :) Also, i like to read several books on design patterns and uml, beside this.

Simon_Whale

Mark Nischalke wrote:

Design Patterns (Gof)

Hardest thing I have done while learning Design patterns myself is to explain to my colleague that you design the application on paper and then see if you have an appropriate case for using a design pattern not the other way around. But otherwise I read books and Google a hell of a lot while learning new topics

As barmey as a sack of badgers Dude, if I knew what I was doing in life, I'd be rich, retired, dating a supermodel and laughing at the rest of you from the sidelines.

Dalek Dave

Heaven forfend, you are starting to sound rather cynical, unlike your usual, carefree and charitable self!

------------------------------------ I will never again mention that I was the poster of the One Millionth Lounge Post, nor that it was complete drivel. Dalek Dave CCC League Table Link CCC Link[

Marc Clifton

Mark Nischalke wrote:

Have you read them?

No.

Mark Nischalke wrote:

What level of professional do you consider yourself?

Yoda ;) Marc

realJSOP

This IS me being my usual carefree and charitable self... :)

".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997

Not Active

Marc Clifton wrote:

Yoda

Don't sell yourself so short ;P I thought is was Pete[^] though

I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt